Cephalopods

Some species live only a year or so; others, like the giant Pacific Octopus may live four years. They are, however, much more serious about courtship rituals than previously thought.

There's a reason that octopuses are known as escape artists; they are extremely intelligent, able to solve problems, and have demonstrated short and long term memory, and an interest in play. Scientists have, for years, tested and studied the abilities of octopuses to successfully navigate mazes, learn visual and vocal cues, and remember solutions to previous problems, and even employ them to solve new, more complicated problems.

What we're seeing is another species on the same evolutionary journey that parallels our own. Maybe they will replace us and rule the local group of 30 star systems in our stead, a geological age hence. Evolution, not equality and safety nets, not accessibility for the handicapped, is the foundation of progress.

Evolution, not equality and safety nets, not accessibility for the handicapped, is the foundation of progress.

But if we take hold of the reigns of genetic selection, we can forge our own path. Evolution, as in natural selection, works blindly and inefficiently. Either way, a legion of genius octopuses can mean nothing but good things.

The sea has been colonized for much longer and yet hasn't produced a sentient species.

Semantics aside, is there any actual proof of this?

Depends on what you see as sentient; personally, I don't see humans as a sapient species at all. We're pretty clueless and yet we act as though we aren't. We seem to score pretty low on the "awareness" factor. Anyhow, I suppose what Wolfgang is speaking of is that the sea hasn't produced sentience to that of homosapiens' caliber. I don't understand how that demands proof.....I understand that many beings possess intelligence, but that doesn't mean we aren't the most "aware". That's what Wolfgang is probably referring to.

The Elephant, having understood the doctrine of the forms as it relates to aesthetic properties, represented through intricately prepared brush movements, in a style not dissimilar to th... or perhaps this is just a case of "an elephant never forgets"?

Dolphins are smart, but what the hell can you do with flippers? Those tentacles have much greater potential.